9 Infamous Times Tourists Got Arrested in Thailand

Belarusian-born Anastasia Vashukevich, who goes by the Instagram personality Nastya Rybka, was arrested in February with nine other Russians for running “sex training” sessions. The social media starlet claims to have information on links between US President Donald Trump and Russia, which she announced in an Instagram appeal to US journalists in exchange for help with her release from Thai prison. She claims she wound up in jail on the orders of the Russian government due to her supposed knowledge. The self-proclaimed “seductress” boasts ties to Russian influencers like billionaire Oleg Deripaska and Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Prikhodko, whom she says served as links between the Kremlin and the 2016 Trump campaign.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf1Hyc7D-Sw/?taken-by=nastya_rybka.ru

Thai authorities spare no leeway when it comes to social media. Last November, two men from San Diego were arrested at the airport for having posted a photo to their Instagram account, @traveling_butts, of their exposed rears in front of a famous Buddhist temple. Their account, now inactive, boasted more than 14,000 followers and featured similar bare-backed shots at famous sites from around the world. They were immediately flagged on a watchlist after authorities noticed the photo, and were picked up at the airport as they passed through immigration on their way back to the US. While they got off with a fine, the pair could have faced up to 12 years in prison if the police pursued further charges.

Four passengers were detained in 2014 at Don Meung Airport in Bangkok after their flight from China became the scene of physical assault and suicide threats. The whole brouhaha began with a dispute about the charge for hot water for instant noodles, which then escalated to a debate over currency. The passengers proceeded to throw the scalding hot water on a flight attendant, threatened to blow up the plane, and one woman even said she would kill herself once the crew decided to turn the plane around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y65kamm45tw

An American YouTube personality named Nate Bartling was arrested last year for flattening coins on the railroad tracks on his series “My Mate Nate,” broadcast to 4.3 million subscribers. He was charged with railway obstruction, trespassing, and damaging railway property, and following his arrest an online petition circulated arguing to cancel Bartling’s visa and forbid his re-entry. While not charged for the crime, defacing (or stepping on) Thai currency is also a legal no-no.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q6JlZ4jK7g

Thailand takes criticism of any kind towards its royal family very seriously. “Lèse majesté” refers to the criminal act of defaming, insulting, or threatening the king, queen, heir-apparent, regent – or even the king’s dog, Tongdaeng – and Thailand’s code is considered the strictest law of its kind around the world. A Swiss man by the name of Oliver Jufer was sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to spray-painting portraits of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit on the king’s birthday in 2007. His sentence was reduced from 75 years due to his confession. The king’s response to this alleged insult of reverence? He pardoned Jufer, saying that he would never allow someone to go to prison for having criticized him, upholding his legacy as Thailand’s most benevolent king.

An American tourist, Steve Cho, was arrested in Phuket after stripping naked and throwing feces at passers-by in an apparent Viagra-fueled rage. Once apprehended by security, he eventually regained his composure and accepted responsibility for any damages caused.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyZBpz08NIw

Here’s the good news: Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) is getting more and more serious about protecting its coral reefs and marine wildlife. Environmental violations, especially in tourist-heavy areas, could cost offenders a 10,000 THB fine, a year in jail, or both. One Russian woman found this out the hard way when she was picked up by authorities for feeding fish with breadcrumbs off Phuket’s east coast last year. She was eventually released on bail, but authorities point to the case as an example to help curb tourist behavior toward the reefs.

We’ve all had an unflattering photo of ourselves pop up online, and us commoners just need to un-tag and move on. Not Thai royalty. Scottish journalist Andrew MacGregor Marshall shared “insulting” pictures on Facebook, originally accompanying a story from a German newspaper, that purportedly show Thailand’s then-Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, now King since 2016, sporting a crop top and a massive tattoo on his back. Authorities claim they’re doctored – which MacGregor vehemently denies – which itself violates Thai law. The kicker? MacGregor wasn’t even in the country, but police arrested his wife who was visiting Thailand with their three-year-old son, and questioned her for several hours.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIP-WE-A0fx/?taken-by=zenjournalist

British tourist Reece Vella was recently arrested after a prostitute he was having sex with fell to her death from the balcony of a fifth floor apartment. He allegedly fled the scene, as his visa had expired and he was wanted in connection with the theft of a motorcycle, and authorities tracked him down in Pattaya. While prostitution is not legal in Thailand, it’s often tolerated, and Vella was arrested on suspicion of negligence causing others to die, and his prosecution is currently pending.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdsHm_GBlKh/